Edinburgh, one of the most magical cities in the UK, is the perfect place for a honeymoon. Especially in the summertime, with events like the Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the days are filled with activities and seem to never end. So even though you’re spending a lot of your time planning your wedding and choosing the right bridesmaid dress design for your best friends and a beautiful dress for yourself, what you’re most excited about is your honeymoon in Edinburgh. You can’t wait to stand at the top of Arthur’s Seat, looking at the view with your new partner for life, seeing the city in front of you glowing in the summer light.
However enchanting Edinburgh is, it can also be pricey. And with all the money you’re spending on your wedding already, you want to find some ways to save money in this city. Luckily, there are some great strategies you can use so that you won’t spend a fortune.
1 Be smart about flights
Flying internationally can cost a fortune. And especially if your wedding is in the summer, prices are going to be even higher. But if you’re creative about it, you can save money. In 2017, there were 36.8 million flights performed by the global airline industry, and this number is rising in 2018. With more routes and options, chances are that there are going to be sales you can take advantage of.
As a rule, you should first subscribe to an airline deals subscription service that goes straight to your inbox–for example, Travelzoo and Scott’s Cheap Flights. You should also use apps like Hopper that’ll track the specific flight from any American city to Edinburgh (and cities near Edinburgh, for example, Glasgow). That way, you’ll get notified whenever the price goes down. Finally, check your favorite airlines once a week or so to find about flight deals to Europe generally. Oftentimes, you can fly to another city, then take a cheap flight on a low-cost airline like Ryanair. Remember: if you do book a low-cost airline, pack light, so you won’t get charged for extra bags.
2 Dine and drink like the locals
One of the greatest things about Edinburgh is its size. Starting from one end of the city, you can end up on the other end in just under an hour. This means that, even if you’re staying a nice hotel in the center, you can easily wander off to other areas–and this means saving money. A pint of beer usually costs somewhere around 3.73 to 5.33 pounds, but if you’re in a more touristy area, it’ll cost more. So walk along the less-traveled paths, exploring the entire city. Edinburgh is built on a series of hills, so you’ll discover beautiful hidden gems in neighborhoods like Cowgate and close to the university.
Additionally, don’t forget to do some online research. Check out TripAdvisor, and download the Spotted by Locals app, where locals give personalized recommendations based on interests and proximity to where you are. Whether you’re looking for theater events or a quiet firelit place to taste flights of local whiskeys, you’ll find what you want on the app. To check out some of their recommendations, look at this blog post on how to spend 48 hours in Edinburgh.
3 Save on accommodations
The downside to Edinburgh being such a small city is that it can be challenging to find accommodations. If you aren’t careful and wait too long, you won’t even be able to find a place to stay during the busy summer months. So even more than with the airfare, you have to get creative. In addition to looking at hotel rates (which cost on average 100 pounds a night), you should use websites like Airbnb and Booking.com. It might even be worth hiring an agent if it looks like too many places are booked up.
Additionally, don’t forget the power of haggling. According to Million Mile Secrets, some ways to save money on Airbnb include staying longer, going during the off-season, offering something in return for a lower price, and, of course, being polite and understanding in your message about haggling. Think about what you’d want to hear if you were a host, and write that message.
These are some of the best ways to save money on your honeymoon in Edinburgh. That means when you finally arrive, you can spend money on what matters: sharing beautiful experiences with your new life partner. What other strategies are you using to save money on your wedding and honeymoon?
